France is reputed to be the most visited country in the world. Many people have heard that the French are arrogant and unfriendly, but this is an out of date stereotype – at least, outside of Paris.
One of the best ways to discover rural France (arguably the real France) is to stay in a French cottage or gite as a holiday or vacation rental. These are usually available from Saturday to Saturday.
Close to Toulouse (international airport), but in an unhurried world, you can discover what food used to taste like: fabulous peaches and melons, foie gras, beautiful farm house cheeses, cherries. . . . Stay in a vibrant medieval market village Montcuq with many “commerces” and restaurants in a registered 3-star French gite for 2 or 4.
Sit out on the terrace with some fabulous wine with a view to a 12th C tower from the garden. See prehistoric caves and beautiful old villages and chateaux and visit plenty of wineries.
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Cahors, the capital of the Lot, South West (S W) France is surrounded by the water of the river’s loop. The holiday house or vacation rental is about 20 minutes drive from here. There are Roman ruins in the town, as well as medieval streets and houses. The beautiful Valentre Bridge, in Cahors, built in the 14th century is a World Heritage listed site. The Cathedral was built in the 11th century and has a cloister worth seeing.
Montcuq, the capital of Quercy is a vibrant village with plenty of ‘commerces’ restaurants, and one of the 100 most beautiful markets in France.
Further west on the river from Cahors, past the vineyards of Luzech is the village of Puy L’Eveque which seems to melt into the water. There is even a lighthouse in the centre of town!!
Castelnau Montratier is a town near Montcuq high up on a ridge boasting a beautiful basilica, interesting covered arcades around its square, or rather triangle, and some windmills on the outskirts.
A little further north, one of the most visited sites in France, Rocamadour appears to cling to a sheer rockface and includes several beautiful chapels and churches, chateaux and narrow streets. It was already a place of pilgrimage prior to the 12th century. Leading from the village to the spiritual centre of the old city is the Grand Staircase of 216 steps.
Not far past Rocamadour, is Collonges, in the Correze, a fascinating red village.
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